Waking up in a drunken stupor, dehydrated and suffering from severe speech impediment is not the only downfall caused by alcohol. Whether you binge drink or consume moderate amounts over a long period – fact is, alcohol does play a role in cancer. Exactly how or why, is still being investigated, but studies on lab rats, and statistics from humans made it all clear: Slow down with your alcohol consumption!

The alcohol related cancer deaths worldwide is presently between 3.5% and 6%. Alcohol has been deemed a ‘group1 carcinogen’ due to its reaction with other chemicals (e.g. tobacco). Alcohol has been found to aid tobacco’s tumour formation in lab rats. Another thing happens when consuming alcohol - The body breaks down the ethanol in alcohol, forming acetaldehyde (the hangover causer) and acetaldehyde damages the DNA in healthy cells, thus damaging the immune system - the perfect breeding ground for cancer.

Need more reasons? Alcohol malfunctions the absorption of nutrients in the body. It depletes vitamin E, some vitamin B groups, folic acids, iron, zinc and vitamin A. It also reduces folate (a vitamin B) in the body. Folate is absolutely necessary for creating new DNA. This has a counter effect on your health, for all these substances are crucial in the protection against cancer. Studies have also alarmed pregnant mothers. Drinking alcohol while expecting may increase the risk of your child developing leukaemia later in life!

There are seven cancers where alcohol plays a role: liver, breast, colorectal (in men), mouth, larynx, pharynx and oesophagus. Chances of getting cancer in the throat area could highly increase by the combined use of tobacco and alcohol – probably because of the direct exposure to the throat. If you have cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis B or C – it would be madness to consume alcohol, as the liver is already damaged. The liver produces the enzyme dehydrogenise in aid of flushing out toxins and bad chemicals. One should not put extra strain (alcohol) on an already diseased liver. Woman produces less dehydrogenise, and that is where the breast cancer risk lies.

So, how much is safe? The total amounts per day would differ from woman to men.
Men: 2 servings – that is 2 beers OR 2 glasses of wine OR 2 shots per day.
Women: 1 serving per day – 1 beer, 1 glass of wine, 1 shot.
If there is a case of the above mentioned cancers in your family – don’t drink!! One should also clear the red wine phenomenon: Yes, the odd glass of red wine reduces cardiovascular disease and the substance resveratrol - found in red wine, may have cancer halting effects BUT red wine still contains alcohol – and alcohol is what’s been warned against.

May you drink alcohol whilst receiving chemotherapy? Even though it may relax you, and boost your appetite, this should be discussed with your oncologist, as it can interfere with the ways in which certain drugs work. When using procarbazine or lomustine, alcohol is a definite no-no!! To consume alcohol within 5-7 days after receiving chemo is not advisable. It will dehydrate the system, and put strain on the liver. Your liver needs as much hydration possible to flush chemo toxins out of your system. Rather drink Milk Thistle to support your liver. Because alcohol depresses the immune system, consuming it may also make you more susceptible to infections. And of course, drinking one or two units per day as a cancer patient just doesn’t make sense. If you feel the need for an alcoholic beverage, keep it strictly occasional.